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THE BIGGEST WALLA RUGBY WEEK ON RECORD

This year’s Walla Rugby Week has broken all records with registration numbers up more than 50% on last year’s record breaking amount.

Over 62,000 students from more than 370 schools in Australia have registered for the fourth annual Walla Rugby Week, which will run from Monday 13 to Friday 17 August, in the build up to the opening Test of the Castrol EDGE Rugby Championship in Sydney on Saturday 18 August.

Registrations have increased annually since the first instalment in 2009 with last year’s registration numbers topping 43,000 students from 275 schools across Australia, double that of 2010.

In 2012 a total of 63,388 students from 373 schools across Australia have already registered for Walla Rugby Week with the potential for even more schools to register before the week kicks-off next Monday.

The week-long program aims to introduce all students to the healthy enjoyable option of non-impact Rugby through a fun, innovative and rewarding program through schools across Australia, providing schools with everything required for the week.

ARU Managing Director and CEO, John O’Neill AO, said the increased levels of registrations this year is outstanding and reflects the growing popularity of Rugby amongst juniors across Australia.

“Walla Rugby Week encourages school communities to experience and engage with the game of Rugby through a variety of initiatives and I am proud so many have registered to take part,” Mr O’Neill said.

“Last year we recorded a growth in Rugby’s junior participation numbers nationally, with 47,430 juniors playing in 2011.

“Community Rugby programs like Walla Rugby Week continue to help the growth of national junior participation figures and the popularity of Rugby, especially as registrations for such programs continue to rise so strongly.”

Tamworth Public School teacher, Barry Everingham, said the Walla Rugby Week program is a good promotion for Rugby around Australia.

“We have local first grade Rugby players come to the school to read and coach the kids as part of the week,” Mr Everingham said.

“Rugby is pretty big at our school. We are looking to keep the game going and getting more kids involved.”

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School on Thursday Island, north of Cape York, have been involved since the inaugural Walla Rugby Week in 2009.

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School Teacher, Lasmintan Ah Boo, said the school was once again excited to be involved with Walla Rugby Week in 2012.

“We are quite unique in the sense that half of our early childhood students are schooled on Hammond Island,” Ms Ah Boo said.

“So an event like this is wonderful to ensure our two campuses enjoy activities together.”

The Walla Rugby Week program includes lesson plans, free Rugby equipment and prizes providing schools with everything required throughout the week.

Prizes on offer in 2012 include:

1st Prize: One school will be selected as the first prize winner and will receive the following prizes: A Wallaby player visit to the school, a signed 2012 Wallabies Jersey, Samsung Camcorder and 8GB SD Card

2nd Prize: One school will be selected as the second placed winner and will receive a signed 2012 Wallabies Jersey, Samsung Digital Camera and a 8GB SD Card

3rd Prize: One school will be selected as the third prize winner and will receive a signed Wallabies Ball, Samsung Digital Camera and an 8GB SD Card

4th Prize: One School will be selected as the fourth prize winner and will receive a Samsung Digital Camera and an 8GB SD Card

5th Prize: One School will be selected as the fifth prize winner and will receive a Samsung Digital Camera model and an 8GB SD Card

To find out more information or register your school for Walla Rugby week please visit - Walla Rugby Week

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